7-Elevens Inundating D.C.-Area

7-Eleven plans to open approximately 30 stores in the Washington-Baltimore area in 2009, closing perhaps two to three at the same time. In 2010 it will open at least 40 stores, according to information the Dallas-based retailer provided to Bisnow.

That's a lot of convenience.

Does the Washington/Baltimore-area demand more Big Gulps than other parts of the country? You'd think that 7-Eleven would be recession-proof, even possibly benefiting from the recession as consumers' budgets slim. But the company looks to be opening a significant portion of stores here, if last year's numbers were any indication: 170 stores total opened nationwide. There are currently 523 locations in the region, according to Bisnow.